Scraper and digger attachment for a tractor loader

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for attaching two implements on the boom arms of a tractor loader. One implement being a digger such as a backhoe and the other implement being a scraper such as a blade.

I United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,892,322 Drennhaus 1 July 1, 1975 SCRAPER AND DlGGER ATTACHMENT [56] References Cited FOR A ACTOR LOADER UNITED STATES PATENTS Inventor: Alfons Drennhaus, Holzbuflgen, 3.003.651 10/1961 Holopainen 214/138 R Germany 3,732,996 5/1973 Bauer 214/131 A [73] Assign: Imemadona! Harvester Company 3,771,677 11 /1973 Pilch 214/131 A Chicago, Ill. Primary Examiner-Frank E. Werner [22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 Assistant Examiner-Ross Weaver [21] APPL No: 431,463 Attorney, Agent, or FirmRaym0nd E. Parks; Floyd B. Harman [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57 A STRACT Mar. 29, I973 Germany .v 23l558l 1 An arrangement for attaching two implements on the [52] US. Cl 214/131 A; 172/273; 214/138 R boom arms ofa tractor loader. One implement being a [51] Int. Cl E0213/30 igg r ch as a backhoe and the other implement [58] Field of Search 214/131 A, 138 R, 145; being a craper such as a blade.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SCRAPER AND BIGGER ATTACHMENT FOR A TRACTOR LOADER The invention relates to a loader fitted with a loading boom which can be raised and lowered by means oflifting cylinders and a rocker arm articulated thereon for controlling an implement connectable to the front end of the loading boom as well as a backhoe mounted at the front of the loader.

We already know loaders where a complete backhoe can be mounted to the front. However, the mounting of the backhoe is only feasible after the loading boom has been moved into a raised position. Quite apart from the fact that this raised loading boom interferes considerably during any operation of the backhoe, it is also considered rather disadvantageous that for optional working with either a loading bucket fitted to the front end of the lifting arm or a backhoe mounted on the loader, complicated change-over operations are required. Another considerable disadvantage is the fact that during operation of the backhoe the loading boom remains virtually unemployed, therefore, it can not be used to carry out any work.

The invention proceeds on the conclusion that it is by far more economical being able to work with two different implements in direct sequence without any change of equipment; meaning, both implements remain on the vehicle permanently, whereby in each case one implement is in operating position and the second one is in an inoperative position.

The invention is based upon the task of creating a loader of the initially described type which makes it feasible that besides the normal loading jobs carried out by means of the loading bucket fitted to the front end of the loading boom also excavating work can be executed by means of a backhoe articulated on the machine in a specific manner and finally scraping as well as levelling (filling) jobs can be carried out by means of yet another implement, whereby no dismantling of an implement is required when changing from excavating work to filling operations or vice versa. According to the invention this problem is solved by providing a design where the backhoe by means of its swing mechanism can be connected to the rocker arm and where simultaneously a scraper blade or similar implement can be linked up with the front end of the loading boom. By means described in the invention a loader is created where the mounted backhoe and the available scraper blade remain on the vehicle permanently, whereby during backhoe operation the scraper blade is brought to its inoperative position, and during operation of the scraper blade the backhoe remains in its non-interfering, inoperative position.

Such a vehicle is superior by a variety of advantages, because the scraper blade can be used to carry out the required scraping and levelling jobs from the readily available operator's platform of the vehicle without any change of implements. By such an arrangement the entire operators platform for the backhoe is not required and thus saved, and the setting of the implements can be carried out quickly and simply resulting in a positively speedy mounting operation of the backhoe which for example was placed on supporting plates aside of the machine.

Owing to the backhoes articulation to the rocker arm (by means of its swing mechanism) the otherwise required entire basic frame of the backhoe including supports and hydraulic cylinders will not be needed resulting in a considerable saving of weight in the region of several hundred kilograms. Besides, since the permissible weight of the machine with filled bucket is not exceeded by the proposed mounting of the backhoe, in fact, a relief in vehicle load is effected as regards frame and axles.

A positive quick mounting operation is also facilitated by the locking recesses preferably designed as snap closures provided on the backhoes swing mechanism and the corresponding locking pins provided on the rocker arm.

In an appropriate way the one locking recess of the swing mechanism is designed as an approximate halfcylindrical recess and the second locking recess (supporting receptacle) is provided with an arresting shackle.

Favorable kinematic conditions are achieved, if the one locking pin that is the top pin on the rocker arm is positioned on the rocker arms centric axis and if the second locking pin which is the bottom locking pin is positioned at the front of the rocker arm.

Another important factor as regards the invention is the provision of supporting plates on the rear bottom face of the scraper blade. During operation of the backhoe the lifting arm and by that the vehicle can be given ground support by means of the supporting plates, thus guaranteeing an almost vibration-free operation. These supporting plates can be designed as adjustable members to compensate broken ground.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is presented in the drawing and is explained in detail in the following:

FIG. 1 shows: the loader with the scraper blade articulated to the machine and the backhoe standing separately in front of the machine.

FIG. 2 shows: the loader with mounted backhoe, whereby the backhoe is in operating position.

FIG. 3 shows: the loader with the scraper blade in operating position and the backhoe in its inoperative position.

FIG. 4 shows: the loader with both implements in transport position, and

FIG. 5 shows: a front view of the loader.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 the invention refers to a conventional loader l with a loading boom 2 actuated by lifting cylinders 3. In a known fashion a rocker arm 4 is supported on the loading boom 2 pivoting around an axis 5. The rocker arm 4 can be tilted by means of a tilting cylinder 6. In an also known manner a tilting link 7 is articulated to the bottom end of the rocker arm 4, said tilting link 7 in the shown embodiment being articulated to a pin 9 positioned at the rear end of a scraper blade 8. The scraper blade 8 itself is pivotally supported at a moving joint 11 at the front end of the loading boom 2. At the rear bottom face of the scraper blade 8 supporting plates 12 are provided, the function of which will be described in detail further on.

Bilaterally of its moving joint 5 the rocker arm 4 is provided with locking pins 13 and 14. While the top locking pin 13 is positioned centrically on the center axis of the rocker arm 4, the bottom locking pin 14 is located on the front face of the rocker arm 4. Both locking pins 13 and I4 interact with locking recesses I5 and 16 on the swing mechanism 17 of a backhoe l8. Said backhoe is of conventional design and therefore is not described in detail. It is also a common practice to rest the backhoe on supporting plates 19 of its own when in inoperative position. In the embodiment shown, the upper locking recess is of halfcylindrical shape 21, whereas the bottom locking recess 16 is provided with an arresting shackle 22. The locking pins 13, 14, and the locking recesses 15 and 16 are designed in form of snap closures, thus rendering possible speedy engaging of the backhoe l8 and its swing mechanism 17 over the locking pins 13, 14 of the rocker arm 4. To achieve said connection the only requirement is to drive the loader with the loading boom up to the parked backhoe 18 into the position shown in FIG. 1, and that as far as necessary to let the locking pin 14 slip behind the arresting shackle 22. Shortly before arriving at that point the locking pin 13 has reached the locking recess 15. If the loading boom 2 is then raised by means of the lifting cylinder 3, the locking pins 13, 14 are automatically locked in the locking recesses 15, 16, and the operation of quickly mounting the backhoe 18 onto the loader 1 is accomplished. The locked position is shown in H6. 2. When operating the backhoe 18 the loading boom 2 is slightly lowered, and that so far till the supports 12 of the scraper blade 8 can rest upon the ground. This guarantees a vibration-free support when operating the backhoe 18. The supporting plates 12 allow for hydraulic adjusting to compensate uneven (broken) ground.

If the scraper blade 8 is to be operated instead of the backhoe 18 to carry out levelling work, for example, the rocker arm 4 is swung to the rear, as can be seen in FIG. 3. This way the swing mechanism 17, and together with it the backhoe 18, is swung to the rear in a inclined fashion, thus leaving free the area underneath the swing mechanism 17 free for operation of the scraper blade 8. By adjusting the rocker arms 4 position the scraper blade 8 has moved into its working position and can now carry out the required levelling work.

To bring the vehicle into transport position, meaning neither scraper blade 8 nor backhoe 18 are operated, the loading boom 2 is slightly raised by way of the lifting cylinder 3 and simultaneously tilted back completely by means of the rocker arms 4 tilting cylinders 6. This will bring backhoe 18 and scraper blade 8 into the position shown in FIG. 4. Now the backhoe 18 has been swung into a far back position and the scraper blade 8 is lifted comparatively high. This arrangement creates a free angle below the scraper blade 8. In FIG. 5 this transport position is shown again as front view which proves that the backhoe 18 can also be swung to the side, thus maintaining perfect viewing conditions for the operator of the vehicle.

I claim:

1. Loader with a pair of loading booms raisable and lowerable by means of a pair of lifting cylinders, a rocker arm carried between and pivotally mounted to the booms to control an implement connectable to the front end of the booms, and a backhoe having a swing mechanism connectable to the front end of the loader, thereby characterized that by means of its swing mechanism (17) the backhoe (18) is connected to the rocker arm (4) and at the same time a scraper blade (8) or similar implement is connected to the loading boom (2).

2. Loader according to claim 1, thereby characterized that two spaced apart locking recesses (15,16) preferably designed as snap closures are provided on the swing mechanism (17) of the backhoe (18) and that two corresponding locking pins (13,14) are provided on the rocker arm (4).

3. Loader according to claim 2, thereby characterized that one of the locking recesses (15) on the swing mechanism (17) is shaped like a half-cylindrical recess (21) whereas the second locking recess (16) is provided with an arresting shackle (22).

4. Loader according to claim 2, thereby characterized that one locking pin (13) of the rocker arm (4) is positioned on said rocker arms centric axis, and that the other locking pin (14) is positioned at the front of the rocker arm (4).

5. Loader according to claim 1, thereby characterized that supporting plates (12) are provided and arranged on the rear bottom face of the scraper blade (8).

6. Loader according to claim 5, thereby characterized that the supporting plates (12) are designed as hydraulically adjustable members.

7. In a tractor loader having a pair of vertically swingable boom arms, an elongate rocker lever between the boom arms and being connected at the center by a pin to the boom arms, a pair of hydraulic ram cylinders carried on the tractor loader and linked to the boom arms for swinging the boom arms, a third hydraulic ram cylinder carried on the tractor and linked to an end of the rocker lever for rocking the other end of the rocker lever, an earth scraping implement having means for connecting same to the ends of the boom arms, and an earth digging implement including a swing mechanism having means for connecting same to the tractor loader, wherein the improvement comprises:

a first latching means on the rocker lever and a second latching means on the swing mechanism, the latching means being latched together for connecting the digging implement to the rocker lever, and the connecting means being pivotally connected to the boom arms for connecting the scraping implement to the boom arms a spaced apart clearance distance from the swing mechanism.

8. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first latching means comprise two spaced-apart bars mounted on the rocker lever on opposite sides of the pin connection and the second latching means comprise two correspondingly spaced apart recesses on the swing mechanism complementary in shape to the crosssectional shape of the bars, and a shackle means associated with one of the recesses for securing one of the bars in the one recess.

9. [n a tractor loader as claimed in claim 8 wherein one bar is mounted on the rocking lever a spaced apart distance from the pin on a central plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the pin, and the other bar is mounted on the rocking lever a spaced apart distance from the pin on a side of the rocking lever which faces the swing mechanism.

10. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bars are cylindrical and the recesses are semicircular.

11. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 9, wherein the recess which latches with the pin on the side of the rocking lever is provided with the shackle.

12. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 7 wherein a ground support plate means is mounted to the scraping implement for engaging with the ground upon downward swinging of the boom arms for supporting the digging implement. 

1. Loader with a pair of loading booms raisable and lowerable by means of a pair of lifting cylinders, a rocker arm carried between and pivotally mounted to the booms to control an implement connectable to the front end of the booms, and a backhoe having a swing mechanism connectable to the front end of the loader, thereby characterized that - by means of its swing mechanism (17) - the backhoe (18) is connected to the rocker arm (4) and at the same time a scraper blade (8) or similar implement is connected to the loading boom (2).
 2. Loader according to claim 1, thereby characterized that two spaced apart locking recesses (15,16) - preferably designed as snap closures - are provided on the swing mechanism (17) of the backhoe (18) and that two corresponding locking pins (13,14) are provided on the rocker arm (4).
 3. Loader according to claim 2, thereby characterized that one of the locking recesses (15) on the swing mechanism (17) is shaped like a half-cylindrical recess (21) whereas the second locking recess (16) is provided with an arresting shackle (22).
 4. Loader according to claim 2, thereby characterized that one locking pin (13) of the rocker arm (4) is positioned on said rocker arm''s centric axis, and that the other locking pin (14) is positioned at the front of the rocker arm (4).
 5. Loader according to claim 1, thereby characterized that supporting plates (12) are provided and arranged on the rear bottom face of the scraper blade (8).
 6. Loader according to claim 5, thereby characterized that the supporting plates (12) are designed as hydraulically adjustable members.
 7. In a tractor loader having a pair of vertically swingable boom arms, an elongate rocker lever between the boom arms and being connEcted at the center by a pin to the boom arms, a pair of hydraulic ram cylinders carried on the tractor loader and linked to the boom arms for swinging the boom arms, a third hydraulic ram cylinder carried on the tractor and linked to an end of the rocker lever for rocking the other end of the rocker lever, an earth scraping implement having means for connecting same to the ends of the boom arms, and an earth digging implement including a swing mechanism having means for connecting same to the tractor loader, wherein the improvement comprises: a first latching means on the rocker lever and a second latching means on the swing mechanism, the latching means being latched together for connecting the digging implement to the rocker lever, and the connecting means being pivotally connected to the boom arms for connecting the scraping implement to the boom arms a spaced apart clearance distance from the swing mechanism.
 8. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first latching means comprise two spaced-apart bars mounted on the rocker lever on opposite sides of the pin connection and the second latching means comprise two correspondingly spaced apart recesses on the swing mechanism complementary in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the bars, and a shackle means associated with one of the recesses for securing one of the bars in the one recess.
 9. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 8 wherein one bar is mounted on the rocking lever a spaced apart distance from the pin on a central plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the pin, and the other bar is mounted on the rocking lever a spaced apart distance from the pin on a side of the rocking lever which faces the swing mechanism.
 10. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bars are cylindrical and the recesses are semi-circular.
 11. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 9, wherein the recess which latches with the pin on the side of the rocking lever is provided with the shackle.
 12. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 7 wherein a ground support plate means is mounted to the scraping implement for engaging with the ground upon downward swinging of the boom arms for supporting the digging implement. 